Filter element with air-bleed conduit

ABSTRACT

A filter element includes a first end cap, a second end cap, and an intermediate end cap disposed between the first end cap and the second end cap. A ring of first filter media circumscribing a first central cavity is disposed between the first end cap and the intermediate end cap. A ring of second filter media is disposed between the intermediate end cap and the second end cap. The filter element also includes an air-bleed conduit axially extending through the first central cavity and comprising a first portion integrally formed with the first end cap and a second portion integrally formed with the intermediate end cap and configured to connect to the first portion thereby forming a conduit for transmitting fluid.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to fuel filter assemblies, and more particularlyto a filter element of a filter assembly having an air-bleed conduit forventing air trapped within a filter housing of the filter assembly.

BACKGROUND

Filter assemblies may be used in fuel systems to remove particulateswithin a fuel stream between a fuel tank and an engine and/or othercomponents. For example, a pump may move the fuel through the systemfrom the fuel tank to the engine. The filter assembly may include afilter element disposed downstream of the pump to remove theparticulates from the fuel prior to delivery to the engine and/or otherdownstream components. The filter element may additionally removeparticulates from injector-bled fuel prior routed to back to the fuelassembly. While changing filters, or during operation of the system, airmay be introduced into the filter assembly. The air may create backpressure that inhibits the ability for unfiltered fuel to be pushedthrough the filter element for filtering. Additionally, the air may passthrough the filter element, and consequently create erratic fueldelivery, thereby effecting performance of the downstream components.

It is known, to use vents or air passages for venting or bleeding outair within filter assemblies. Conventionally, these air passages aredisposed radially outward of filter media and define vent openingsspaced between inner surfaces of top and intermediate end caps of thefilter element. While locating the conventional air passages in thismanner simplifies the ability to incorporate the air passages into thefilter element during assembly, such air passages are ineffective forallowing air that has become trapped between the top end cap and the topof the filter housing to be vented out of the filter assembly.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a filter element includes a firstend cap, a second end cap, and an intermediate end cap disposed betweenthe first end cap and the second end cap. A ring of first filter mediacircumscribing a first central cavity is disposed between the first endcap and the intermediate end cap. A ring of second filter media isdisposed between the intermediate end cap and the second end cap. Thefilter element also includes an air-bleed conduit axially extendingthrough the first central cavity and comprising a first portionintegrally formed with the first end cap and a second portion integrallyformed with the intermediate end cap and configured to connect to thefirst portion thereby forming a conduit for transmitting fluid.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing optional features. In some implementations, a sum of axiallengths of the first portion and the second portion is greater than anaxial distance between the first end cap and the intermediate end cap.The axial length of the first portion may be greater than an axialdistance between the first end cap and the intermediate end cap.

In some examples, the second portion fluidly connects to the firstportion when a receiving passage defined by an inner surface of one ofthe first portion or the second portion receives an outer surface of theother one of the first portion or the second portion. The receivingpassage of the one of the first portion or the second portion mayinclude a frusto-conical tapered section and the outer surface of theother one of the first portion or the second portion may include anintermediate frusto-conical section having a geometry configured toinsert into and seal against the frusto-conical tapered section of thereceiving passage to fluidly connect the second portion to the firstportion when the receiving passage of the one of the first portion orthe second portion receives the outer surface of the other one of thefirst portion or the second portion. In some configurations, one or moreinterference members protrude radially inward from the inner surfacedefining the receiving passage of the one of the first portion or thesecond portion or protrude radially outward from the outer surface ofthe other one of the first portion or the second portion received by thereceiving passage. In these configurations, one or more receiving slotsmay be formed within the other one of the inner surface defining thereceiving passage or the outer surface received by the receiving passageand configured to receive corresponding ones of the interference membersto prevent the first portion and the second portion from moving relativeto each other when the receiving passage of the one of the first portionor the second portion receives the outer surface of the other one of thefirst portion or the second portion.

In some implementations, the first portion axially extends from an inletformed through the first end cap to a first distal end defining a distalopening in fluid communication with the inlet. In these implementations,the receiving passage is defined by the inner surface of the secondportion that axially extends between an inner opening defined by asecond distal end of the second portion and an outer opening extendingthrough the intermediate end cap. The first distal end of the firstportion may be disposed within the receiving passage of the secondportion or may axially extend through the outer opening of the receivingpassage. In some examples, the outer opening of the receiving passage isdisposed between the intermediate end cap and the second end cap. Inother examples, the outer opening of the receiving passage is formedthrough the intermediate end cap.

In some implementations, the first portion axially extends from an inletformed through the first end cap to a first distal end defining a firstdistal opening in fluid communication with the inlet, and the innersurface of the first portion defines the receiving passage extendingaxially from the first distal opening toward the inlet. In theseimplementations, the second portion axially extends from an outeropening extending through the second end cap to a second distal end. Thesecond distal end may be disposed within the receiving passage of thefirst portion and define an inner opening that provides fluidcommunication with the inlet formed through the first end cap and theouter opening extending through the second end cap when the firstportion and the second portion are fluidly connected.

In some configurations, the filter element also includes an annularsealing device extending axially from an outer surface of theintermediate end cap toward the second end cap. In these configurations,the annular sealing device defines a vented fluid chamber in directfluid communication with the air-bleed conduit. The filter element mayalso optionally include a support core disposed in the first centralcavity of the first filter media and supporting a first inner peripheryassociated with the first filter media, wherein the air-bleed conduit isdisposed radially inward from the support core and a second innerperiphery associated with the second filter media

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a filter assembly including afilter housing defining an internal chamber between a first end and asecond end, and a filter element disposed within the internal chamber ofthe filter housing. The filter element includes a first end cap opposingthe first end of the filter housing, a second end cap opposing thesecond end of the filter housing, and an intermediate end cap disposedbetween the first end cap and the second end cap. The filter elementalso includes a ring of first filter media axially extending between thefirst end cap and the intermediate end cap and circumscribing a firstcentral cavity. A ring of second filter media axially extends betweenthe intermediate end cap and the second end cap and circumscribes asecond central cavity. The filter element also includes a male portionof an air-bleed conduit having a first proximal end integrally formedwith the first end cap to define an inlet formed through the first endcap, and a female portion of the air-bleed conduit fluidly connected tothe male portion and integrally formed with the intermediate end cap todefine an outer opening extending through the intermediate end cap.

This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features.In some implementations, the male portion and the female portion arecoaxial and disposed radially inward from inner peripheries of the firstand second filter media. The female portion may define a receivingpassage axially extending between the outer opening and an inner openingdisposed between the first end cap and the intermediate end cap. Here,the receiving passage receives and forms a seal with an outer surface ofthe male portion

In some configurations, the filter element also includes an annularsealing device extending axially from an outer surface of theintermediate end cap toward the second end cap and defining a ventedfluid chamber in fluid communication with the air-bleed conduit. Inthese configurations, the air-bleed conduit is configured to receivefluid through the inlet formed through the first end cap and direct thereceived fluid to the vented fluid chamber. In some examples, the firstfilter media is defined by a first outer periphery opposing the internalchamber of the housing and a first inner periphery disposed radiallyinward from the first outer periphery and opposing the first centralcavity. The first central cavity may receive filtered fuel upon passingthrough the first filter media at the first outer periphery and exitingat the first inner periphery. In some examples, the second filter mediais defined by a second outer periphery opposing the internal chamber ofthe housing and a second inner periphery disposed radially inward fromthe second outer periphery and opposing the second central cavity. Theinternal chamber of the housing may receive filtered injector-bled fuelupon passing through the second filter media at the second innerperiphery and exiting at the second outer periphery. The filtered fuelpassed through the first filter media may correspond to at least one ofunfiltered fuel from a fuel system in fluid communication with theinternal chamber of the housing or the filtered injector-bled fuelexiting the second filter media at the second outer periphery.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of manufacturinga filter element. The method includes integrally forming a first end capwith a first portion of an air-bleed conduit, providing a second endcap, and integrally forming an intermediate end cap with a secondportion of the air-bleed conduit. The first portion axially extends froman inlet formed through the first end cap to a first distal end defininga first distal opening. The second portion axially extends from an outeropening extending through the intermediate end cap to a second distalend defining an inner opening. The method also includes providing a ringof first filter media circumscribing a first central cavity andextending axially between a first top end and a first bottom end, andproviding a ring of second filter media circumscribing a second centralcavity and extending axially between a second top end and a secondbottom end. The method also includes affixing one of the intermediateend cap to the first bottom end of the first filter media or the firstend cap to the first top end of the first filter media, fluidlyconnecting the first portion and the second portion of the air-bleedconduit together, and affixing the other one of the first end cap to thefirst top end of the first filter media or the intermediate end cap tothe first bottom end of the first filter media. The method also includesaffixing the second bottom end of the second filter media to the secondend cap and the second top end of the second filter media to theintermediate end cap. The second top end of the second filter media isaffixed to the intermediate end cap on an opposite side of theintermediate end cap than the first bottom end of the first filtermedia.

In some examples, the step of fluidly connecting the first portion andthe second portion of the air-bleed conduit together includes, when theintermediate end cap is affixed to the first bottom end of the firstfilter media with the second portion of the air-bleed conduit extendingaxially into the first central cavity, positioning the first end cap toplace the first portion of the air-bleed conduit in coaxial alignmentwith the second portion of the air-bleed conduit. The method may alsoinclude inserting one of the first distal end of the first portion intothe inner opening of the second portion or the second distal end of thesecond portion into the first distal opening of the first portion andpressing the first portion and the second portion of the air-bleedconduit together to form a seal between an outer surface of the firstportion and an inner surface of the second portion or between an innersurface of the first portion and an outer surface of the second portion.

In some implementations, the method also includes affixing an annularsealing device to the intermediate end cap on an opposite side of theintermediate end cap than the first filter media. In theseimplementations, the affixed annular sealing device defines a vented airchamber configured to receive fluid vented through the air-bleed conduitfrom the inlet formed through the first end cap.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otheraspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the descriptionand drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric cross-sectional view of an example filter elementhaving two coaxial rings of filter media and an air-bleed conduit.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the filter element of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a filter assemblyincluding a filter housing and the filter element of FIG. 1 disposedwithin the filter housing.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a top end cap of the filter elementof FIG. 1 defining an inlet of the air-bleed conduit formedtherethrough.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a bottom end cap of the filterelement of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a detailed schematic view enclosed within area 6, 7 of FIG. 1showing a second portion of the air-bleed conduit receiving a firstportion of the air-bleed conduit to fluidly connect the first portionand the second portion together.

FIG. 7 is a detailed schematic view within area 6,7 of FIG. 1 showingvarious alternative embodiments of a first portion of the air-bleedconduit receiving a second portion of the air-bleed conduit to fluidlyconnect the first portion and the second portion together.

FIG. 8 is an isometric cross-sectional view of another example filterelement having two coaxial rings of filter media and an air-bleedconduit in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in some implementations, a filter element 10for a fuel system includes a first end cap 12, a second end cap 114opposing the first end cap 12, and an intermediate end cap 14 opposingand disposed in between the first end cap 12, and the second end cap114. The filter element 10 may also include a first ring of filter media16 and a second ring of filter media 116. The first ring of filter media16 is disposed between the first end cap 12 and the intermediate end cap14 and circumscribes a first central cavity 18. The second ring offilter media 116 is disposed between the intermediate end cap 14 and thesecond end cap 114 and circumscribes a second central cavity 118. Anair-bleed conduit 20 axially extends through the first central cavity18. In some examples, the air-bleed conduit 20 axially extends through aportion of the second central cavity 118. Described in greater detailbelow with reference to FIG. 3, the air-bleed conduit 20 facilitatesbleeding or venting of air residing within a filter housing 100 (FIG.3). The accumulation of trapped air may cause the air to be pushedthrough the first ring of filter media 16, and thereby impact fueldelivery, and adversely affect performance of components downstream ofthe filter element 10. Accordingly, the air-bleed conduit 20 may venttrapped air out of the filter housing 100 for return back to a fuelsupply, fuel reservoir, or the like 324 (FIG. 3). In some examples, theair-bleed conduit 20 includes a first portion 220 integrally formed withthe first end cap 12 and a separate second portion 240 integrally formedwith the intermediate end cap 14. The first portion 220 and the secondportion 240 are configured to fluidly connect with each other duringassembly of the filter element 10 to form the air-bleed conduit 20 as asingle member extending axially through at least the first centralcavity 18. In the views of FIGS. 1-3, the first end cap 12 is associatedwith the top end cap affixing to a top end of the first ring of filtermedia 16, the intermediate end cap 14 is associated with the middle endcap affixing to a bottom end of the first ring of filter media 16disposed on an opposite side of the filter media 16 than the top end andalso affixing to a top end of the second ring of filter media 116 on anopposite side of the intermediate end cap 14 than the bottom end of thefirst ring of filter media 16, and the second end cap 114 is associatedwith the bottom end cap affixing to a bottom end of the second ring offilter media 116 disposed on an opposite side of the second ring offilter media 116 than top end. The filter medias 16, 116 may be formedfrom one or more materials having an efficiency and structure suitablefor the particular application. The filter medias 16, 116 may includethe same or different capacities, efficiencies, and/or structures forfiltering out particulates within fuel passing therethrough.

In some examples, the first end cap 12 includes an outer surface 30 andan inner surface 32 disposed on an opposite side of the end cap 12 thanthe outer surface 30. The first end cap 12 may include a first outerperipheral wall 34 and a first inner peripheral wall 36 disposedradially inward from the first outer peripheral wall 34. In someimplementations, the inner surface 32 of the first end cap 12 affixes tothe top end of the first filter media 16 between the first outerperipheral wall 34 and the first inner peripheral wall 36. The innersurface 32 may affix and sealingly bond to the first filter media 16using potting compounds, such as Plastisol, urethanes, or other suitableadhesives. The first outer peripheral wall 34 extends axially downwardor away from the first end cap 12 toward the intermediate end cap 14 tooutwardly bound an outer periphery 44 of the first filter media 16.Similarly, the first inner peripheral wall 36 may extend axiallydownward or away from the first end cap 12 toward the intermediate endcap 14 to inwardly bound an inner periphery 46 of the first filter media16. The first end cap 12 may also include one or more fastening members38 projecting axially upward from the outer surface 30 for fastening thefilter element 10 with the filter housing 100.

In some implementations, the first end cap 12 is integrally formed withthe first portion 220 of the air-bleed conduit 20. The first end cap 12and the first portion 220 may be generally, simultaneously formed fromany conventional material, such as metal or plastic, during a singleforming process (e.g., an injection molding process). The first portion220 may extend axially between a first proximal end 222 disposed at thefirst end cap 12 and a first distal end 224 disposed closer to theintermediate end cap 14 than the first end cap 12. The first proximalend 222 of the first portion 220 may define an inlet 22 formed throughthe outer surface 30 and the inner surface 32 of the first end cap 12.The inlet 22 may include an orifice having a size and shape configuredto permit unfiltered air trapped axially above the outer surface 30 ofthe first end cap 12 to enter the first portion 220 of the air-bleedconduit 20, while preventing significant volumes of fluid from enteringthe air-bleed conduit 20 through the inlet 22. Additionally, a screen orother perforated material may cover the inlet 22 to block fluid and/orparticulate matter from entering the air-bleed conduit 20 through theinlet 22. The first distal end 224 of the first portion 220 may define afirst distal opening 24. The example of FIG. 1 shows the first distalend 224 of the first portion 220 extending through and protruding awayfrom the intermediate end cap 14. In this example, the first distalopening 24 directly fluidly communicates with the inlet 22 formedthrough the first end cap 22 to release air bled through the air-bleedconduit 20. In other examples, however, the first distal end 224 of thefirst portion 220 may terminate within the second portion 240 of theair-bleed conduit 20, and therefore, axially above the intermediate endcap 14.

In some examples, the intermediate end cap 14 includes an outer surface50 and an inner surface 52 disposed on an opposite side of theintermediate end cap 14 than the outer surface 50. The intermediate endcap 14 may include an intermediate outer peripheral wall 54 and anintermediate inner peripheral wall 56 disposed radially inward from theintermediate outer peripheral wall 54. In some implementations, theinner surface 52 of the intermediate end cap 14 affixes to the bottomend of the first filter media 16 between the intermediate outerperipheral wall 54 and the intermediate inner peripheral wall 56 on anopposite side of the first filter media 16 than the first end cap 12.The inner surface 52 may affix and sealingly bond to the first filtermedia 16 using potting compounds, such as Plastisol, urethanes, or othersuitable adhesives. The intermediate outer peripheral wall 54 extendsaxially upward or away from the intermediate end cap 14 toward the firstend cap 12 to outwardly bound the outer periphery 44 of the first filtermedia 16. Similarly, the intermediate inner peripheral wall 56 mayextend axially upward or away from the intermediate end cap 14 towardthe first end cap 12 to inwardly bound the inner periphery 46 of thefirst filter media 16. The intermediate end cap 14 may also define acentrally located inner standpipe opening 58.

Where the inner surface 52 of the intermediate end cap 14 affixes to thebottom end of the first filter media 16, the outer surface 50 of theintermediate end cap 14 affixes to the top end of the second filtermedia 116 between the intermediate outer peripheral wall 54 and theintermediate inner peripheral wall 56. With similar respect to the innersurface 52 and the first filter media 16, the outer surface 50 may affixand sealingly bond to the second filter media 116 using pottingcompounds, such as Plastisol, urethanes, or other suitable adhesives.The intermediate outer peripheral wall 54 extends axially downward oraway from the intermediate end cap 14 toward the second end cap 114 tooutwardly bound the outer periphery 144 of the second filter media 116.Similarly, the intermediate inner peripheral wall 56 may extend axiallydownward or away from the intermediate end cap 14 toward the second endcap 114 to inwardly bound the inner periphery 146 of the second filtermedia 116.

In some implementations, the intermediate end cap 14 is integrallyformed with the second portion 240 of the air-bleed conduit 20. Theintermediate end cap 14 and the second portion 240 may be generally,simultaneously formed from any conventional material, such as metal orplastic, during a single forming process (e.g., an injection moldingprocess). The second portion 240 may extend axially between a secondproximal end 242 disposed proximate to the intermediate end cap 14 and asecond distal end 244 defining an inner opening 246. The second proximalend 242 may define an outer opening 26 extending through the outersurface 50 and the inner surface 52 of the intermediate end cap 14.While the examples of FIGS. 1-3 show the second distal end 244protruding away from the outer surface 50 of the intermediate end cap14, and thus disposed axially between the intermediate end cap 14 andthe second end cap 114, the second distal end 244 may be disposed at theintermediate end cap 14 such that the outer opening 26 is formed throughthe outer surface 50 and the inner surface 52 of the intermediate endcap 14. In some examples (not shown), the outer opening 26 may have asize and shape configured to permit the first distal end 224 of thefirst portion 220 to extend therethrough. In other examples (not shown),when the first distal end 224 of the first portion 220 is disposedwithin the second portion 240 and axially above the intermediate end cap14, the outer opening 26 fluidly communicates with the inlet 22 formedthrough the first end cap 12 to release the air bled or vented throughthe air-bleed conduit 20.

The intermediate end cap 14 may also include a first annular retainingwall 60 and a second annular retaining wall 62 each extending axiallydownward or away from the outer surface 50. The first annular retainingwall 60 may be disposed radially outward from the inner standpipeopening 58 and the second annular retaining wall 62 may be disposedradially outward from the first annular retaining wall 60. The outeropening 26 extending through the intermediate end cap 14 may be disposedbetween the first annular retaining wall 60 and the second annularretaining wall 62, or defined in part by the first annular retainingwall 60 and the second annular retaining wall 62.

In some implementations (e.g., FIG. 1), an annular sealing device 70 isdisposed on the outer surface 50 of the intermediate end cap 14. Inother implementations (e.g., filter element 10 a of FIG. 8), an annularsealing device 70 is not disposed on the outer surface 50 of theintermediate end cap 14. The annular sealing device 70 may be integralto the intermediate end cap 14 or separately attached. The sealingdevice 70 includes an outer surface 72 extending axially downward oraway from the outer surface 50 and toward the second end cap 114. Aninner surface 74 of the annular sealing device 70 may outwardly boundthe second annular retaining wall 62 of the intermediate end cap 14 andmay include an inner lip 76 that extends radially inward therefrom toform a surface displaced from the planar extent of outer surface 50 ofthe intermediate end cap 14 and define an intermediate standpipe opening78. In other configurations (not shown), the second annular retainingwall 62 of the intermediate end cap 14 may outwardly bound the outersurface 72 of the annular sealing device 70. The annular sealing device70 may also include a third annular retaining wall 77 extending axiallydownward or away from the inner lip 76 and toward the second end cap114. The third annular retaining wall 77 may be disposed radiallybetween the intermediate standpipe opening 78 and the inner surface 74of the annular sealing device 70. In some examples, a first annular seal80 is disposed on the outer surface 50 and bounded by the first annularretaining wall 60 to provide a seal between a standpipe assembly 350(FIG. 3), the intermediate end cap 14, and the sealing device 70 at theinner standpipe opening 58. A second annular seal 82 may be bounded bythe third annular retaining wall 77 and disposed axially below and incontact with the inner lip 76 of the annular sealing device 70. Thesecond annular seal 82 may provide a seal between the standpipe assembly350 and the annular sealing device 70 at the intermediate standpipeopening 78. Described in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 3,the standpipe assembly 350, the inner surface 74 of the sealing device70, the first annular seal 80, the second annular seal 82, and thebottom surface 50 of the intermediate end cap 14 may cooperate to definea vented air chamber 370 in direct fluid communication with theair-bleed conduit 20.

In some implementations, the second end cap 114 includes an outersurface 150 and an inner surface 152 disposed on an opposite side of thesecond end cap 114 than the outer surface 150. The second end cap 114may include a second outer peripheral wall 154 and a second innerperipheral wall 156 disposed radially inward from the second outerperipheral wall 154. In some implementations, the inner surface 152 ofthe second end cap 114 affixes to the bottom end of the second filtermedia 116 between the second outer peripheral wall 154 and the secondinner peripheral wall 156 on an opposite side of the second filter media116 than the intermediate end cap 14. The inner surface 152 may affixand sealingly bond to the bottom end of the second filter media 116using potting compounds, such as Plastisol, urethanes, or other suitableadhesives. The second outer peripheral wall 154 extends axially upwardor away from the second end cap 114 toward the intermediate end cap 14to outwardly bound the outer periphery 144 of the second filter media116. Similarly, the second inner peripheral wall 156 may extend axiallyupward or away from the second end cap 114 toward the intermediate endcap 14 to inwardly bound the inner periphery 146 of the second filtermedia 116. The second end cap 114 may also define a centrally locatedouter standpipe opening 158 coaxial with the intermediate standpipeopening 78 and the inner standpipe opening 58. Described in greaterdetail below with reference to FIG. 3, a distal end of the second innerperipheral wall 156 and the inner lip 76 of the annular sealing device70 define a gap that permits injector-bled fuel 346 (FIG. 3) to passtherethrough for subsequent filtering by the second filter media 116upon passing through second filter media 116 at the second innerperiphery 146 and exiting at the second outer periphery 144 as filteredinjector-bled fuel 348 (FIG. 3).

The second end cap 114 may also include a fourth annular retaining wall160 extending axially downward or away from the outer surface 150. Thefourth annular retaining wall 160 may be disposed radially outward fromthe outer standpipe opening 158. A third annular seal 180 may be boundedby the fourth annular retaining wall 160 and disposed axially below andin contact with the outer surface 150 of the second end cap 114. Thethird annular seal 180 may provide a seal between the standpipe assembly350 and the second end cap 114 at the outer standpipe opening 158.

In some implementations, the filter element 10 optionally includes asupport core 17 configured to support the first filter media 16 at theinner periphery 46. The support core 17 may extend axially along theentire length of the first filter media 16 and define a plurality ofpassages configured to allow filtered fuel 332 (FIG. 3) to flow into thecentral cavity 18 after passing through the first filter media 16. Theair-bleed conduit 20 may be separate from the support core 17 anddisposed radially inward therefrom.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exploded view of the filter element 10 of FIG. 1shows the first portion 220 of the air-bleed conduit 20 integrallyformed with the first end cap 12 and the second portion 240 of theair-bleed conduit 20 integrally formed with the intermediate end cap 14.A sum of the axial lengths of the first portion 220 and the secondportion 240 may be greater than an axial distance between the first endcap 12 and the intermediate end cap 14. In some examples, the firstportion 220 includes an axial length greater than the axial distancebetween the first end cap 12 and the intermediate end cap 14. However,in other examples (FIGS. 6 and 7), the axial length of the first portion220 may be less than the axial distance between first end cap 12 and theintermediate end cap 14.

The first portion 220 may include an outer surface 226 and an innersurface 228 that defines a passage for the flow of air between the inlet22 and the outer opening 26 extending through the intermediate end cap14 (and/or the first distal opening 24). In some implementations, theouter surface 226 may include an exposed section 230 axially extendingfrom the first proximal end 222, an insertion section 232 associatedwith the first distal end 224 and having an insertion diameter smallerthan a diameter of the exposed section 230, and an intermediatefrusto-conical section 234 interconnecting the exposed section 230 withthe insertion section 232.

The second portion 240 may include an outer surface 247 and an innersurface 248 that defines a receiving passage 250 axially extendingbetween the inner opening 246 and the outer opening 26 extending throughthe intermediate end cap 14. The receiving passage 250 may receive theouter surface 226 of the first portion 220 to fluidly connect the firstportion 220 and the second portion 240 together during assembly of thefilter element 10, and thereby form the air-bleed conduit 20 as a singleintegral member extending axially at least through the first centralcavity 18 of the filter element 10. As used herein, the air-bleedconduit 20 extending axially through the central cavity 18 refers to theair-bleed conduit 20 extending axially through the inlet 22 formedthrough the first end cap 12, the first central cavity 18, and the outeropening 26 extending through the second end cap 14. FIGS. 1 and 3 showan example configuration with the outer opening 26 extending through theintermediate end cap 14 to a location axially displaced between theintermediate end cap 14 and the second end cap 114. In otherconfigurations, however, the outer opening 26 extending through theintermediate end cap 14 may be formed through the intermediate end cap14.

The receiving passage 250 may include a uniform section 252 having areceiving diameter smaller than a diameter of the inner opening 246. Insome examples, a frusto-conical tapered section 254 interconnects theinner opening 246 with the uniform section 252. During assembly of thefilter element 10, the intermediate end cap 14 may affix to the bottomend of the first filter media 16 such that the second portion 240 of theair-bleed conduit 20 extends axially upward and into the first centralcavity 18. Prior to affixing the first end cap 12 to the top end of thefirst filter media 16, the first portion 220 of the air-bleed conduit 20must be positioned in coaxial alignment with the second portion 240 sothat the insertion section 232 of the first portion 220 may be insertedinto the receiving passage 250 of the second portion 240. Here, taperededges of the frusto-conical tapered section 254 may assist in aligningand guiding the insertion section 232 of the first portion 220 into thereceiving passage 250 to fluidly connect the first portion 220 and thesecond portion 240 together when the portions 220, 240 are axiallypressed together. The first portion 220 and the second portion 240 mayfluidly connect together by a compression fit and/or other fasteningmembers associated with the first and second portions 220 and 240.Thereafter, to complete assembly of the filter element 10, theintermediate end cap 14 may affix to the top end of the second filtermedia 116 and the second end cap 114 may affix to the bottom end of thesecond filter media 116. In some examples, second portion 240 of theair-bleed conduit 20 also axially extends downward and into the secondcentral cavity 118 such that the second proximal end 242 defining theouter opening 26 is disposed within the second central cavity 118radially inward from the inner periphery 146 of the second filter media116.

In some implementations, the frusto-conical tapered section 254 of thereceiving passage 250 includes a geometry configured to receive and sealagainst the intermediate frusto-conical section 234 of the outer surface226 of the first portion 220 to fluidly connect the first portion 220and the second portion 240 when the uniform section 252 of the receivingpassage 250 receives the insertion section 232 of the first portion 220.FIGS. 1 and 3 show the first portion 220 and the second portion 240fluidly connected such that the frusto-conical tapered section 254 andthe intermediate frusto-conical section 234 form a seal with the firstdistal end 224 defining the first distal opening 24 coaxial with andadjacent to the outer opening 26 extending through the intermediate endcap 14. Accordingly, the first distal opening 24 directly fluidlycommunicates with the inlet 22 formed through the first end cap 12 andthe outer opening 26 extending through the intermediate end cap 14 torelease the air bled or vented through the air-bleed conduit 20. Inother implementations, the first distal end 224 defining the firstdistal opening 24 may axially extend through the outer opening 26 suchthat the first distal opening 24 is exposed from the receiving passage250 and protruding away from the outer opening 26 within the secondcentral cavity 118. In these implementations, the first distal opening24 directly fluidly communicates with the inlet 22 formed through thefirst end cap 12 to release the air bled or vented through the air-bleedconduit 20.

In some implementations, the geometry of the first portion 220 and thesecond portion 240 may be reversed without limitation to allow the innersurface 228 of the first portion 220 to define a receiving passage 750(FIG. 7) configured to receive the outer surface 247 of the secondportion 240, and thereby fluidly connect the first portion 220 and thesecond portion 240 together. Here, the inner opening 246 of the secondportion 240 may be disposed within the receiving passage 750 of thefirst portion 220.

In other configurations, rather than being integrally formed withrespective ones of the first end cap 12 or the intermediate end cap 14,at least one of the first portion 220 or the second portion 240 of theair-bleed conduit 20 may be formed independently from the respective oneof the first end cap 12 or the second end cap 14. For instance, thefirst end cap 12 may be formed to define the inlet 22 therethrough andthe first proximal end 222 of the first portion 220 may be mounted orattached to the inner surface 32 of the first end cap 12. Similarly, theintermediate end cap 14 may be formed to define the outer opening 26therethrough and the second proximal end 242 of the second portion 240may be mounted or attached to the inner surface 52 of the second end cap14.

Referring to FIG. 3, in some implementations, a filter assembly 300includes the filter housing 100 and the filter element 10 cooperating toremove particulates from a fuel stream 322 and also injector-bled fuel346 in a fuel system. For example, the filter assembly 300 may belocated downstream, on a pressure side of a fuel supply 324 (e.g., apump and/or fuel tank for moving fuel through the system, e.g., from thefuel tank to an engine 334. Moreover, the filter assembly 300 mayreceive injector-bled fuel 346 returned from the engine 334 (e.g., fuelinjection pump and/or fuel rail). Specifically, the injector-bled fuel346 refers to excess fuel that was previously delivered to fuelinjectors (e.g., via a fuel rail) for delivery of the fuel at elevatedpressures to cylinders of the engine 334. In some implementations, theinjector-bled fuel 346 bypasses the fuel supply 324, and is insteadreturned back to the filter assembly 300 for filtering before beingdelivered as filtered fuel 332 back to the engine 334.

The filter housing 100 (hereinafter ‘housing’) defines an internalchamber 306 between a first end 302 and a second end 304, and the filterelement 10 is received within the internal chamber 306. The housing 100may include a cylindrical canister 308 having a bottom, closed end 310associated with the second end 304 of the housing 100, and a top, openend 312. A cover 314 may attach to the open end 312 of the canister 308to define the internal chamber 306 of the housing 100. Threads 316 maybe provided between the canister 308 and the cover 314 to allow thecover 314 to be releaseably fastened to the canister 308. The canister308 may define one or more inlet fuel ports 320 to direct unfilteredfuel 322 from the fuel supply 324 into the internal chamber 306 of thehousing 100 to be filtered. The fuel supply 324 may include a fuel tankand/or a fuel pump. The canister 308 may also define one or more fuelreturn ports 321 to direct injector-bled fuel 346 returned from theengine 334 into the second central cavity 118 to be filtered.

In some implementations, the standpipe assembly 350 is at leastpartially disposed within the internal chamber 306 of the housing 100.The standpipe assembly 350 includes an elongated standpipe member 352centrally located within the housing 100 and axially extending upward oraway from the bottom second end 304 of the housing 100 and through outerstandpipe opening 158 formed through the second end cap 14, theintermediate standpipe opening 78 formed through the annular sealingdevice 70 and the inner standpipe opening 58 formed through theintermediate end cap 14. The standpipe member 352 includes a distal endterminating within the first central cavity 18 of the filter element 10that defines a fuel outlet port 330 for directing filtered fuel 332 uponpassing through the first filter media 16. The fuel outlet port 330directs the filtered fuel 332 out of the housing 100 to the engine 334downstream of the filter assembly 300. Accordingly, the unfiltered fuel322 is received by the internal chamber 308 of the housing 306 throughthe one or more inlet ports 320 and the unfiltered fuel 322 may passthrough the first filter media 16 at the outer periphery 44 and exit theinner periphery 42 as filtered fuel 332 within the first central cavity18. Additionally, filtered injector-bled fuel 348 is received by theinternal chamber 308 of the housing 100 upon passing through the secondfilter media 116 at the outer periphery 144. For example, theintermediate outer peripheral wall 54 and the second outer peripheralwall 154 each bounding the outer periphery 144 of the second filtermedia 116 may define a gap 145 to permit the injector-bled fuel 348filtered by the second filter media 116 to pass into the internalchamber 308 and enter the first filter media 16 at the outer periphery44. In doing so, the filtered injector-bled fuel 348 exiting the innerperiphery 46 may correspond to the filtered fuel 332 within the firstcentral cavity 18 for delivery to the engine 334 via the outlet port330. In some examples, the support core 17 is disposed within the firstcentral cavity 18 and supports the inner periphery 46 of the firstfilter media 16. The support core 17 may be formed from cross-membersdefining a plurality of passages configured to allow the filtered fuel332 to flow into the first central cavity 18 and exit the filterassembly 300 through the outlet port 330 of the standpipe member 352after passing through the first filter media 16.

In some implementations, the standpipe assembly 350 includes anintermediate portion 354 that interconnects the elongated standpipemember 352 with a base member 356 having a larger diameter than thestandpipe member 354. In some examples, the intermediate portion 354includes a frusto-conical shape. FIG. 3 shows the intermediate portion354 partially received by the outer standpipe opening 158 formed throughthe second end cap 114. The third annular seal 180 disposed on the outersurface of the second end cap 114 may bound the intermediate portion 354and forms a seal therewith at the outer standpipe opening 158. FIG. 3also shows the intermediate portion 354 defining one or more fuel returnopenings 323 for releasing the injector-bled fuel 346 into the secondcentral cavity 118 from the one or more fuel return ports 321.

As the unfiltered fuel 322 and/or the filtered injector-bled fuel 348rises within the internal chamber 306 toward the first end 314 of thehousing during operation of the fuel system (e.g., the fuel supply 324,the filter assembly 300, and the engine 334), air 342 may be pushedaxially upward (e.g., relative to the view of FIG. 3) in the internalchamber 306 and may become trapped between the outer surface 30 of thefirst end cap 12 and the first end 314 of the housing 100. The air-bleedconduit 20 extending axially through the first central cavity 18 maybleed or vent the trapped air 342 out of the housing 100 and back to thefuel supply 324 so that the air 342 is not pushed through the firstfilter media 16 and delivered to the engine 334 via the fuel outlet port330. Specifically, the air-bleed conduit 20 may receive the trapped air342 through the inlet 22 and direct the trapped air 342 out of firstdistal opening 24 and the outer opening 26 disposed axially below theintermediate end cap 14 and into the vented air chamber 370. Optionally,the trapped air 342 may exit through the outer opening 26 and into thevented air chamber 370 when the first distal opening 24 of the firstportion 220 is disposed axially above the intermediate end cap 14. Inother configurations, the trapped air 342 may exit through the firstdistal opening 24 and into the vented air chamber 370 when the outeropening 26 is formed through the intermediate end cap 14 and the firstdistal opening 24 extends through the outer opening 26.

The vented air chamber 370 may be defined by the standpipe member 352,the outer surface 50 of the intermediate end cap 14, the annular sealingdevice 70, the first annular seal 80 and the second annular seal 82. Insome examples, the diameter of the intermediate standpipe opening 78 isgreater than the diameter of the standpipe member 352. An annulardivider wall 325 may axially extend upward or away from second end 304of the housing 100 and into the vented air chamber 370 through theintermediate standpipe opening 78. Here, the annular divider wall 325and the outer periphery of the elongated standpipe member 352 define oneor more air return ports 374 fluidly separate from the fuel outlet port330 and the fuel return port(s) 321. The air return ports 374 may extendfrom air openings 372 along the length of the standpipe assembly 350 tothe fuel supply 324 disposed outside of the housing 100. The airopenings 372 may be defined at a distal end of the annular divider wall325 within the vented air chamber 370. Accordingly, unfiltered trappedair 342 within the housing 100 may vent or bleed through the air-bleedconduit 20 and into the vented air chamber 370 for return back to thefuel supply 324 via the one or more air return ports 374.

Additionally, the annular divider wall 325 and the intermediate portion354 of the standpipe assembly 350 may cooperate to define the fuelreturn ports 321 that extend axially along the standpipe assembly 350from the second end 304 of the housing 100 to the fuel return openings323 disposed within the second central cavity 118. FIG. 3 shows theaxially extending fuel return ports 321 disposed radially outward fromthe annular divider wall 325 while the axially extending air returnports 374 are fluidly separate from the fuel return ports 321 anddisposed radially inward from the annular divider wall 325.

FIGS. 4 and 5 provide a top perspective view (FIG. 4) of the first endcap 12 and a top perspective view (FIG. 5) of the second end cap 114 forthe filter element 10 of FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 4 shows the outer surface 30 ofthe first end cap 12 (e.g., the top end cap relative to the views ofFIGS. 1-3) including the one or more fastening members 38 projectingaxially upward and the inlet 22 of the air-bleed conduit 20 formedthrough the first end cap 12. The inlet 22 is located radially inwardfrom the ring of filter media 16. The inner surface 32 of the first endcap 12 is affixed to the first or top end of the first filter media 16.

FIG. 5 shows the outer surface 150 of the second end cap 114 (e.g., thebottom end cap relative to the views of FIGS. 1-3) defining the outerstandpipe opening 158 and having the third annular seal 180 disposedthereon. The inner surface 150 of the second end cap 114 is affixed tothe bottom end of the second filter media 116 while the top end of thesecond filter media 116 is affixed to the outer surface 50 of theintermediate end cap 14 (neither shown). FIG. 5 also shows the annularsealing device 70 axially spaced away from the inner surface 152 of thesecond end cap 114 and defining the intermediate standpipe opening 78with the second annular seal 82 disposed thereon. The inner standpipeopening 58 formed through the intermediate end cap 14 is coaxial withthe outer standpipe opening 158 formed through the second end cap 114and the intermediate standpipe opening 78 formed through the annularsealing device 70. The first annular seal 80 disposed on the outersurface 50 of the intermediate end cap 14 may bound the inner standpipeopening 58. The vented air chamber 370 is defined between the annularsealing device 70 and the outer surface 50 of the intermediate end cap14 when the standpipe assembly 350 (not shown) is received by thesealing device 70 and the filter element 10. When the filter element 10is assembled and the first portion 220 and the second portion 240 arefluidly connected (as shown in FIG. 3), the inlet 22 formed through thefirst end cap 12 (FIG. 4), the outer opening 26 extending through theintermediate end cap 14, and the first distal opening 24 of the firstportion 220 are coaxial with each other.

Referring to FIG. 6, in some implementations, the first portion 220 andthe second portion 240 of the air-bleed conduit 20 fluidly connecttogether to form the air-bleed conduit 20 when the receiving passage 250of the second portion 240 receives the insertion section 232 of theouter surface 226 of the first portion 220. Optionally, the fluidconnection is substantially a fluid tight connection. Accordingly, thefirst portion 220 may correspond to a male portion and the secondportion 240 may correspond to a female portion. Conversely to theexamples of FIGS. 1-3 showing the first distal end 224 of the firstportion 220 extending through the intermediate end cap 14, FIG. 6 showsthe first distal end 224 of the first portion 220 within the receivingpassage 250 of the second portion 240 without extending through theintermediate end cap 14. In this example, the first distal opening 24defined by the first distal end 224 of the first portion 220 providesfluid communication between the inlet 22 formed through the first endcap 12 (neither shown) and the outer opening 26 extending through thesecond end cap 14 axially below or away from the outer surface 50 of theintermediate end cap 14. As described in the foregoing, thefrusto-conical tapered section 254 of the second portion 240 and theintermediate frusto-conical section 234 of the first portion 220 maycooperate to form a seal, and thereby fluidly connect the first portion220 and the second portion 240 together, such that air and/or filteredfuel 332 within the first central cavity 18 is prevented from enteringthe air-bleed conduit 20. The geometry of the first portion 220 and thesecond portion 240 may be reversed without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, in some implementations, the inner surface 228 ofthe first portion 220 defines a receiving passage 750 configured toreceive the outer surface 247 of the second portion 240. In theseimplementations, the first portion 220 and the second portion 240fluidly connect together to form the air-bleed conduit 20 when thereceiving passage 750 of the first portion 220 receives the outersurface 247 of the second portion 240. In some examples, the firstdistal end 224 of the first portion 220 slants radially outward toassist with guiding the second proximal end 244 of the second portion240 into the receiving passage 750. Additionally, slanting the firstdistal end 224 of the first portion 220 radially outward helps preventthe first distal end 224 and the second distal end 244 from interferingwith each other in a manner that would inhibit the ability of thereceiving passage 750 to receive the outer surface 247 of the secondportion 240 during assembly of the filter element 10. The first distalend 224 may be formed from a compressible and resilient material atlocation 225 to enable the first distal end 224 to flex or compressradially outward in the event the first distal end 224 contacts thesecond distal end 244 of the second portion 224 when the second distalend 244 inserts into the receiving passage 750.

In some implementations, one or more interference members 760 protrudefrom the outer surface 247 of the second portion 240 and one or morereceiving slots 770 are formed within the inner surface 228 of thereceiving portion 750. In these implementations, the receiving slots 770receive corresponding ones of the interference members 760 to preventthe first portion 220 and the second portion from moving relative toeach other when the receiving passage 750 receives the outer surface 247of the second portion 240. In other words, the interference members 760and the receiving slots 770 may engage with each other to prevent thefirst portion 220 and the second portion 240 from fluidly disconnecting.Additionally, the interference members 760 and the receiving slots 770may cooperate to provide a seal within the receiving passage 750 betweenthe inner surface 228 of the first portion 220 and the outer surface 247of the second portion 240. In other implementations, the one or moreinterference members 760 protrude from the inner surface 228 of thereceiving passage 750 and the one or more corresponding receiving slots770 are formed within the outer surface 247 of the second portion 240.The interference members 760 and receiving slots 770 may also beincorporated to the air-bleed conduit 20 in the examples of FIGS. 1-3and 6.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A filter element comprising: a first end cap; asecond end cap; an intermediate end cap disposed between the first endcap and the second end cap; a ring of first filter media disposedbetween the first end cap and the intermediate end cap, the first filtermedia circumscribing a first central cavity; a ring of second filtermedia disposed between the intermediate end cap and the second end cap;and a bleed conduit axially extending through the first central cavityincluding a first portion integrally formed with the first end cap and asecond portion integrally formed with the intermediate end cap andconfigured to connect to the first portion thereby forming a conduit fortransmitting fluid, wherein an axial length of the first portion isgreater than an axial distance between the first end cap and theintermediate end cap.
 2. The filter element of claim 1, wherein thesecond portion fluidly connects to the first portion when a receivingpassage defined by an inner surface of one of the first portion or thesecond portion receives an outer surface of the other one of the firstportion or the second portion.
 3. The filter element of claim 2,wherein: the receiving passage of the one of the first portion or thesecond portion includes a frusto-conical tapered section; and the outersurface of the other one of the first portion or the second portionincludes an intermediate frusto-conical section having a geometryconfigured to insert into and seal against the frusto-conical taperedsection of the receiving passage to fluidly connect the second portionto the first portion when the receiving passage of the one of the firstportion or the second portion receives the outer surface of the otherone of the first portion or the second portion.
 4. The filter element ofclaim 2, further comprising: one or more interference members protrudingradially inward from the inner surface defining the receiving passage ofthe one of the first portion or the second portion or protrudingradially outward from the outer surface of the other one of the firstportion or the second portion received by the receiving passage; and oneor more receiving slots formed within the other one of the inner surfacedefining the receiving passage or the outer surface received by thereceiving passage and configured to receive corresponding ones of theinterference members to prevent the first portion and the second portionfrom moving relative to each other when the receiving passage of the oneof the first portion or the second portion receives the outer surface ofthe other one of the first portion or the second portion.
 5. The filterelement of claim 2, wherein: the first portion axially extends from aninlet formed through the first end cap to a first distal end defining adistal opening in fluid communication with the inlet; and the receivingpassage is defined by the inner surface of the second portion thataxially extends between an inner opening defined by a second distal endof the second portion and an outer opening extending through theintermediate end cap, wherein the first distal end of the first portionis disposed within the receiving passage of the second portion oraxially extends through the outer opening of the receiving passage. 6.The filter element of claim 5, wherein the outer opening of thereceiving passage is disposed between the intermediate end cap and thesecond end cap or formed through the intermediate end cap.
 7. The filterelement of claim 2, wherein: the first portion axially extends from aninlet formed through the first end cap to a first distal end defining afirst distal opening in fluid communication with the inlet, and theinner surface of the first portion defines the receiving passageextending axially from the first distal opening toward the inlet; andthe second portion axially extends from an outer opening extendingthrough the second end cap to a second distal end, the second distal enddisposed within the receiving passage of the first portion and definingan inner opening that provides fluid communication with the inlet formedthrough the first end cap and the outer opening extending through thesecond end cap when the first portion and the second portion are fluidlyconnected.
 8. The filter element of claim 1, further comprising: anannular sealing device extending axially from an outer surface of theintermediate end cap toward the second end cap, the annular sealingdevice defining a vented fluid chamber in direct fluid communicationwith the bleed conduit.
 9. The filter element of claim 1, furthercomprising: a support core disposed in the first central cavity of thefirst filter media and supporting a first inner periphery associatedwith the first filter media, wherein the bleed conduit is disposedradially inward from the support core and a second inner peripheryassociated with the second filter media.
 10. A filter assemblycomprising: a filter housing defining an internal chamber between afirst end and a second end; and a filter element disposed within theinternal chamber of the filter housing, the filter element comprising: afirst end cap opposing the first end of the filter housing; a second endcap opposing the second end of the filter housing; an intermediate endcap disposed between the first end cap and the second end cap; a ring offirst filter media axially extending between the first end cap and theintermediate end cap and circumscribing a first central cavity; a ringof second filter media axially extending between the intermediate endcap and the second end cap and circumscribing a second central cavity; amale portion of a bleed conduit having a first proximal end integrallyformed with the first end cap to define an inlet formed through thefirst end cap; and a female portion of the bleed conduit fluidlyconnected to the male portion and integrally formed with theintermediate end cap to define an outer opening extending through theintermediate end cap, wherein an axial length of the male portion isgreater than an axial distance between the first end cap and theintermediate end cap.
 11. The filter assembly of claim 10, wherein themale portion and the female portion are coaxial and disposed radiallyinward from inner peripheries of the first and second filter media. 12.The filter assembly of claim 10, wherein the female portion defines areceiving passage axially extending between the outer opening and aninner opening disposed between the first end cap and the intermediateend cap, the receiving passage receiving and forming a seal with anouter surface of the male portion.
 13. The filter assembly of claim 10,wherein the filter element further comprises an annular sealing deviceextending axially from an outer surface of the intermediate end captoward the second end cap and defining a vented fluid chamber in fluidcommunication with the bleed conduit, the bleed conduit configured toreceive fluid through the inlet formed through the first end cap anddirect the received fluid to the vented fluid chamber.
 14. The filterassembly of claim 10, wherein the first filter media is defined by afirst outer periphery opposing the internal chamber of the housing and afirst inner periphery disposed radially inward from the first outerperiphery and opposing the first central cavity, the first centralcavity receiving filtered fuel upon passing through the first filtermedia at the first outer periphery and exiting at the first innerperiphery; and the second filter media is defined by a second outerperiphery opposing the internal chamber of the housing and a secondinner periphery disposed radially inward from the second outer peripheryand opposing the second central cavity, the internal chamber of thehousing receiving filtered injector-bled fuel upon passing through thesecond filter media at the second inner periphery and exiting at thesecond outer periphery.
 15. The filter assembly of claim 14, wherein thefiltered fuel passed through the first filter media corresponds to atleast one of unfiltered fuel from a fuel system in fluid communicationwith the internal chamber of the housing or the filtered injector-bledfuel exiting the second filter media at the second outer periphery. 16.A method of manufacturing a filter element comprising: integrallyforming a first end cap with a first portion of a bleed conduit, thefirst portion axially extending from an inlet formed through the firstend cap to a first distal end defining a first distal opening; providinga second end cap; integrally forming an intermediate end cap with asecond portion of the bleed conduit, the second portion axiallyextending from an outer opening extending through the intermediate endcap to a second distal end defining an inner opening; providing a ringof first filter media circumscribing a first central cavity andextending axially between a first top end and a first bottom end;providing a ring of second filter media circumscribing a second centralcavity and extending axially between a second top end and a secondbottom end; affixing one of the intermediate end cap to the first bottomend of the first filter media or the first end cap to the first top endof the first filter media; fluidly connecting the first portion and thesecond portion of the bleed conduit together; affixing the other one ofthe first end cap to the first top end of the first filter media or theintermediate end cap to the first bottom end of the first filter media;and affixing the second bottom end of the second filter media to thesecond end cap and the second top end of the second filter media to theintermediate end cap, the second top end of the second filter mediaaffixed to the intermediate end cap on an opposite side of theintermediate end cap than the first bottom end of the first filtermedia, wherein affixing the other one of the first end cap to the firsttop end of the first filter media or the intermediate end cap to thefirst bottom end of the first filter media includes extending the firstdistal end of the first portion of the bleed conduit through theintermediate end cap.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step offluidly connecting the first portion and the second portion of the bleedconduit together comprises: when the intermediate end cap is affixed tothe first bottom end of the first filter media with the second portionof the bleed conduit extending axially into the first central cavity:positioning the first end cap to place the first portion of the bleedconduit in coaxial alignment with the second portion of the bleedconduit; inserting one of the first distal end of the first portion intothe inner opening of the second portion or the second distal end of thesecond portion into the first distal opening of the first portion; andpressing the first portion and the second portion of the bleed conduittogether to form a seal between an outer surface of the first portionand an inner surface of the second portion or between an inner surfaceof the first portion and an outer surface of the second portion.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, further comprising: affixing an annular sealingdevice to the intermediate end cap on an opposite side of theintermediate end cap than the first filter media, the affixed annularsealing device defining a vented chamber configured to receive fluidvented through the bleed conduit from the inlet formed through the firstend cap.
 19. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the first end capdefines a first central axis and the second endcap defines a secondcentral axis aligned with the first central axis, and wherein the firstportion is radially offset from the first central axis and the secondportion is radially offset from the second central axis.
 20. The filterelement of claim 1, wherein the first portion is monolithically formedwith the first end cap.
 21. The filter element of claim 1, wherein theaxial length of the first portion is greater than an axial length of thering of first filter media.
 22. The filter assembly of claim 10, whereinthe first end cap defines a first central axis and the second endcapdefines a second central axis aligned with the first central axis, andwherein the male portion is radially offset from the first central axisand the female portion is radially offset from the second central axis.23. The filter assembly of claim 10, wherein the male portion ismonolithically formed with the first end cap.
 24. The filter assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the axial length of the male portion is greater thanan axial length of the ring of first filter media.
 25. The method ofclaim 16, wherein integrally forming the first end cap with the firstportion of the bleed conduit includes monolithically forming the firstend cap with the first portion of the bleed conduit.